Executive Minister leads dedication of three houses of worship
By JUN MIRANDA and MARK ANDRO T. MILAN
Date Posted: September 15, 2021
On August 28, 2021, during a special worship service he officiated from the Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) Central Complex in Quezon City, Philippines, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister, led the dedication to the Lord God of three houses of worship.
Consecrated as dwelling place of God’s Name and glory were the newly built house of worship of the Local Congregation of Pasong Intsik, Ecclesiastical District of San Jose City, Nueva Ecija in the Philippines and the newly renovated house of worship each of the Local Congregations of San Francisco in the Northwest California District and Hinton in Edmonton, Canada District.
Their completion raised to 154 the number of houses of worship of the Iglesia Ni Cristo that have risen since the beginning of the pandemic crisis up to September 2021.
The brethren from these three congregations as well as from other sites attended the sacred gathering via livestreaming.
Pasong Intsik, Nueva Ecija
Situated at Pasong Intsik, Guimba, Nueva Ecija, the house of worship of the Local Congregation of Pasong Intsik is a 516-seater with a balcony, under which is the conference room. Its compound includes a pastoral house, baptismal pool, caretaker’s house, generator house, and guard post.
“I thank so much the Lord God for He has allowed us here to have a beautiful house of worship,” said Benjamin Arceo Sr., head deacon.
The resident minister, Brother Donnie Guillermo, said of the congregation’s resolve: “We thank so much the Almighty God. He once more made our Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, instrumental in providing us this new and beautiful house of worship. We will take good care of this house of worship God blessed us with. We will never forsake the worship of Him. We will all the more be united with the Church Administration.”
San Francisco, California
The Local Congregation of San Francisco is the Church’s second congregation outside the Philippines and its first ever in the US mainland. It was established 53 years ago by then Executive Minister, Brother Eraño G. Manalo, when he officiated its first worship service on August 17, 1968.
The recent renovation saw the house of worship repainted, carpeted, its pews reupholstered, a podium installed, and entire edifice equipped with state-of-the-art audio and video equipment, as well as a Johannus organ.
In an interview, Brother Norman Dela Cruz, the resident minister of the congregation shared the collective sentiment of the brethren there: “The brethren felt joy having been blessed with a more beautiful house of worship.”
Hinton, Alberta
The house of worship of the Local Congregation of Hinton located at 236 Hardisty Avenue, Hinton, Alberta was purchased by the Iglesia Ni Cristo from the Anglican Church in February 2017. It was used first by the brethren for their worship service on March 12 after almost a month of minor renovation. About the recent major renovation, its interior was intricately designed, adorned with chandeliers and the Johannus organ. Previously 120-seater, now it can fit 130 people. Its vicinity has been provided with a proper fencing and beautiful landscaping. — With reports from INC News Section
